[Ronn_Bman]

Originally posted by Moiraine: I personally find this argument "under the belt" (do you get my meaning ? I mean it is unfair). I mean, I am feeling confused about the necessity or not of a war, but if there is one argumentation that doesn't convince me at all, it is "you owe us gratitude for the help we gave you 50 years ago" ... I think you mean "below the belt", and it's quite appropriate. The idea that France should follow the US blindly because of a sense of WWII gratitude is silly. Following the US blindly as a "thank you" isn't a good idea for anyone, the US included. One of the only examples I find remotely relevant regarding WWI is the attempts by England and France to appease Hitler despite his aggression and how that appeasement ended. Sometimes a peaceful solution isn't an option, no matter how badly it may be desired, and sometimes in an effort to ensure peace, an aggressor is given more time to achieve their goal. Well, gratitude you had, back then - for 30 years, everything that came to us from the US was great. We copied your music, your clothing, your movies, we read your books, followed your causes - we tried to imitate you in every way. But I don't think we imagined that you were expecting us to shut up as a given. I don't think we expect France to shut up, but we are expressing, sometimes very poorly and inappropriately, our disagreement with the French stance, just as the French are expressing their disagreement with the current US position. What I mostly feel right now is sadness. Because, over the disagreements, it seems to me, from what I read and hear, that dissension and hate are showing their ugly faces (I am not talking about Ironworks, mainly from what I read in papers and hear at the radio). People are calling each others names, which will stick as poisoned darts in our hearts no matter what happens. Bin Laden and his terrorists must be laughing right now. For hate is their goal - and we are kindly obliging them ... I don't know if a war will happen or not. I don't know if the war is necessary, if it is for the good, or not. But I wish with all my heart that, whatever happens, we people stand united.

What you say is so true, and you say it very well.

[ 02-13-2003, 10:05 AM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]